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Investments in artificial intelligence are increasingly driving economic growth in the United States. These days, a lot of customers engage directly with AI through programs like ChatGPT or condensed search results on Google or Apple. Additionally, they might be coming to AI-generated images on social media. But the growth isn't being driven by that. Rather, it refers to the expenditures made to establish the infrastructure of electricity and raw computer power required to support those applications as well as any that may develop from them in the future. Consider the design of data centers, computer chips, information processing devices, and hardware for electrical transmission. According to Ed Yardeni, president of Yardeni Research, a market and economy consulting firm, AI has directly a...

Federal student loansIf borrowers are concerned about making their payments while they recuperate, they have options for help from the wildfires tearing through Southern California. The same is true for other individuals who are struggling with climate disasters and harsh weather and have student loan debt. According to Carolina Rodriguez, director of the New York-based Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program, borrowers affected by natural catastrophes can be eligible for short-term relief from student loan payments. According to experts, it's a good idea for borrowers to become familiar with the relief options accessible to them in case they need it. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that in 2023, there were a record 28 billion-dollar disasters in the United S...

On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump accused California Governor Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden of being responsible for the terrible flames that are raging in Los Angeles, forcing tens of thousands of people to abandon their homes and killing at least two people. Trump wrote in one of several posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, "Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way." He went on to say that Newsom "didn't care about the people of California, but wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish c...

After fluctuating sharply for a number of years before beginning to level out in 2024, used car prices are predicted to continue to stabilize in 2025. Cox Automotive, a logistics and auto data company, projects that wholesale prices on its Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, which monitors the costs of used cars sold at its wholesale auctions in the United States, will close this year 1.4% higher than they did in December 2024. According to Cox, pricing will vary from month to month owing to seasonality in sales and other reasons, but it won't be as significant as it was in prior years. Following declines of 7% and over 15% in 2023 and 2022, respectively, due to inflated prices during the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's gain would be comparable to a 0.4% increase in 2024. During that period, ...

Almost everyone in my close social circle was raving about Uniqlo's Heattech collection, so I knew I had to give it a try. After buying a few pieces (to wear as daily tops or bottoms or as athermal layers underneath my favorite sweaters and coats), I was able to see for myself how well worth the collection is. Many NBC Select employees have been wearing Uniqlo's Heattech clothing for years and support the brand, so I'm not the only one who thinks they're fantastic. NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez adds, "I only use Uniqlo's Heattech thermals because they actually keep me warm without feeling thick and suffocating." Without causing me to overheat, it keeps me warmer than some of my thickest thermals for skiing. Several essential pieces from the women's, men's, and ch...

According to minutes released Wednesday, Federal Reserve officials voiced concern about inflation and the potential effects of President-elect Donald Trump's policies during their December meeting. As a result, they indicated that they would be reducing interest rates more slowly. The meeting summary included at least four references to the potential impact of changes in trade and immigration policies on the U.S. economy, without specifically mentioning Trump. Trump has hinted at plans to impose harsh, punishing tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada, and other U.S. trading partners since winning the election in November. He also plans to seek mass deportations and further deregulation. Members of the Federal Open Market Committee stated that prudence would be necessary due to the uncertainty su...

Alan Baratz, the CEO of D-Wave Quantum, stated that Nvidia's Jensen Huang is completely mistaken on quantum computing after the chip giant's remarks alarmed Wall Street on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Huang was questioned regarding Nvidia's approach to quantum computing. According to him, Nvidia could produce the necessary conventional chips in addition to quantum computing chips, but such computers would require a million times as many qubits—quantum processing units—as they do now. Huang warned analysts that it might take 15 to 30 years to get extremely useful quantum computers to market. Huang's comments caused the fledgling industry's stocks to plummet, with D-Wave falling 36% on Wednesday. "We at D-Wave are commercial today, which is why he's wrong," Baratz told CNBC's Deidre Bosa on The Ex...

According to Capitol Police, a guy brandishing three knives and a machete was taken into custody on Wednesday while undergoing a security check for those in line to see former President Jimmy Carter lie in state. As the man's suitcase passed through an X-ray machine at the Capitol Visitor Center, police said they noticed the machete inside. In addition to the machete, three other knives were discovered in the backpack. While we looked into it, security screening was momentarily halted at the Capitol Visitor Center's north side," police stated in a statement put on X. According to Capitol Police, the man, whose name has not been made public, was taken into custody on several counts of possessing a dangerous weapon. Capitol Police declined to respond when contacted for further information. O...

According to three people involved with the talks, the new Trump administration is thinking of launching a high-profile operation in its early days that would target unauthorized immigrants. According to the persons, the raid may target illegal immigrants at a workplace in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region. The three people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media about transition discussions, said that the Trump transition team has frequently asked about the resources and logistics that are immediately available to carry out workplace raids in meetings with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. A large business is usually the focus of such an operation, which shocks employees during the workday by sending ICE officers...

The PresidentFollowing the birth of his granddaughter Naomi Biden, Joe Biden welcomed his first great-grandchild to California on Wednesday. Following a briefing from representatives of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection on their efforts to combat the wildfires blazing over Los Angeles, Biden informed reporters, "The good news is, I'm a great-grandfather as of today." "A 10-pound, four-ounce baby girl" was the birth of his granddaughter, according to Biden, who promptly corrected himself to say "baby boy." Jill Biden, the first lady, posted a picture of herself and the president holding their great-grandson on Instagram later Wednesday. The caption read, "We are proud to introduce you to our great-grandson: William Brannon Neal, IV." "I'm about to be a great-grandfat...